Cirro FAQ’s

Have a question about Cirro? Have a look below for frequently asked questions.

In terms of equipment, can we track vehicles and fuel?

Yes, we can add any number of additional equipment or items into the field gear tracking module. For example, you can track the amount of fuel that is left in a particular fuel cache. Pilots have the option to input the amount of fuel they’ve used so we have a record and report how much fuel to expect in a location or determine if supplies need to be replenished.

Can Cirro be used when I can't get a connection to the Internet?

Yes. Loss of your Internet connection will not keep you from enjoying the benefits of Cirro. Once you have logged in and have downloaded the system to your mobile device, the system will still operate if the Internet connection is lost. If you know that you will be off-line in advance you can download documents and maps for future use. Any data you input to Cirro while off-line will automatically be uploaded to the system when you re-establish your internet connection.

Can Cirro handle SPOT devices?

All a company’s SPOT devices can be integrated with Cirro so that they are visible to Cirro users in one location with controlled access.

Can Cirro handle custom flight duty time rules?

Yes. In addition to the standard 702/703 flight duty time limits, Cirro can also accommodate custom rules that restrict times beyond industry regulation. It also provides notifications to pilots and administrators when maximum duty time is approaching and exceeded, regardless of the rules being used.

Can Cirro provide maps and GPS tracking data for my flights?

Yes. Cirro allows viewing of aircraft GPS tracking data and flight history. The maps include overlays for weather, fire indexes, lightning strikes, SPOT devices and fuel cache tracking. Map tiles are available for download and off-line use. The mapping function includes airport overlays with METAR data, NOTAMs, airport layouts and current weather.

Can Cirro track field gear and other company assets?

Yes. Any operational or optional gear (long lines, external tanks, etc) can be entered into the Cirro system and be electronically tracked as to location, inspection intervals, usage time, condition, expiries and certifications.

Can Dangerous Goods Manifests be created and managed with Cirro?

Yes. Qualified persons can create dangerous goods manifests and perform remote acceptance tasks for fully regulated shipments. Manifests that have been previously produced by qualified persons can be added to new flight itineraries when the new flight plans are created.

Can I create and file my flight plan using Cirro?

Yes. The ‘Create New Flight’ function enables pilots to create and file a flight itinerary with Cirro. All the required information is included in the flight plan. The system handles weight and balance calculations, transportation of dangerous goods manifests, passengers and cargo weights and placement, FDT, field gear and route planning.

Is my data stored in the Cirro system secure?

Cirro uses password protected servers with multiple firewalls to manage and store user data. Intrusion programs detect and inhibit unauthorized intrusions and datamining. Data transmission between users and the system is encrypted, and user access to the system requires password authentication.

Can I limit access to my booking and scheduling information using Cirro?

Yes. With Cirro management can securely share aircraft bookings, maintenance schedules, crew assignments and alert levels. Access to any scheduling information can be restricted by management to personnel assigned to the particular aircraft or booking.

Are airports included in the mapping module?

Yes, 95% of all airports in Canada have been plotted into the system.

My company is regularly audited by regulators and clients. Can Cirro help me with the audits?

Yes. Cirro can generate a variety or reports to support auditing processes. The system can report on things like certificates, itineraries, TDG manifests, company memos, weight and balance calculations, and aircraft histories.

Does someone visit the site in order to make changes? How are updates done?

The software is continuously synching and rescynching via the cloud. Only programmers with authorization are able to make programming-related changes to the software. Administrators, Ops Managers and Pilots (or anyone with authorized access) is able to review and make changes to the data that’s been inputted, but every change made is recorded on the system for auditing purposes.

How are customized rules maintained and entered. Does it take someone with programming skills to create those rules?

Rules are done through database entry. We would create the rule for you, and then we would test it and add it to your organization’s account with Cirro. We want to ensure it works properly and that it is part of the service you require. It can be tailor-made to fit what you need.

Can Cirro provide maps and GPS tracking data for my flights?

Yes. Cirro allows viewing of aircraft GPS tracking data and flight history. The maps include overlays for weather, fire indexes, lightning strikes, SPOT devices and fuel cache tracking. Map tiles are available for download and off-line use. The mapping function includes airport overlays with METAR data, NOTAMs, airport layouts and current weather.

Can audit changes be made at the database level?

Yes, all auditing information is changed on the database level by users who are authorized to do so in the system (for example, managers).

Has Transport Canada had a look at Cirro during an audit?

Wisk Air had a transport audit while they were acting as a beta tester. As they had just started to use Cirro, they gave Transport both paper and digital copies of their auditing reports. They accepted them, however the goal is to switch entirely to a paperless reporting system. Our business analyst (Dave Tyrell) was in discussions with Transport Canada and they reiterated to him that this is a good direction to take. It is a nice, clean solution for auditing.

Do you have approval from Transport Canada to use digital signatures to sign off on reports?

We have consulted with our lawyers who say it is legal for us to use digital signatures. We are in discussions with Transport Canada to try to secure their approval.

Are you integrated with the maintenance side?

At the moment there is always a signed hard copy of reports that are filed. We do plan to fully integrate with maintenance. This is one of our goals. However, it doesn’t really change the benefit and efficacy of the digital system for recording and auditing purposes. The system is already keeping track of field gear and weight and balance, so those reports are automatically tracked.

Can the system accommodate for split duty times?

Yes, split duty times are an option that we’ve included in our system.

In terms of PVI inspections, specifically related to TDG, are reports available on-demand for all managers?

Yes, as part of the auditing component, the system ensures you can’t lose that checklist. It alleviates the paper trail that comes with auditing of TDG. It’s all saved and stored on the cloud for you.

How does it work if you are out in the bush where there’s no cell coverage?

We have offline features built into the system. For instance, all maps are currently available off-line. TDG is not yet available off-line but likely will be in the future as we continue to develop Cirro.

What cloud system are you using to run Cirro?

We are using Rackspace, Maria DB and Galera. We have three separate nodes located in Chicago, Dallas and Orlando.

How do you deal with privacy? What is your security policy?

We transfer data and store it using detailed encryption message. In fact, we have a detailed security policy document that we’d be happy to share with you which should answer most of your questions related to how we run our security. Contact us to view a copy of the security policy.

Prior to AirSuite’s Cirro software, our company relied on a variety of different apps in a piece-meal way to help manage things like flight plans, pilot duty time, weight and balance, transportation of dangerous goods and all of the dozens of daily flight requirements. Many still rely on paper and basic Excel programs.